3MDR has taken the plunge and is now on Instagram [@3mdr97.1fm]We'd love you to follow us and enjoy all our pic and video fun!!We will try and post up as many studio, muso, event, office and general 3MDR happenings & antics as possible!!Don't forget to tag & hashtag us in your posts too!!

3MDR's annual Subscriber Drive will be departing the platform on Monday 17th October.

The Radiothon Train will be loaded with heaps of cargo for you to win.

This is our once a year call out to our beloved listeners to climb aboard with a 3MDR subscription to help keep independent community radio, 3MDR 97.1fm, on the airwaves for another 12 months.

As a not-for-profit community radio station, 3MDR needs your support to stay on air.

We know you, like us, value community radio in providing a diverse range of entertaining and informative programs presented by volunteers serving the communities of the mountain district and beyond.

Climb aboard 3MDR's Radiothon Train and you will be in the running to win some fantastic prizes. Call our drivers in the studio on 03 5968 2727, call the office staff and volunteers on 03 5968 2728 or simply hop online at 3MDR.com and keep 3MDR rolling along the tracks.

Subscribe during the 2016 Radiothon and you could win this fabulous car!

Sure it's a pedal car but it's still a car. This wonderful little machine and accessories could be yours! All you need to do is show your support for community radio 3MDR and subscribe during the 2016 Radiothon.

Generously donated by our friends at Garage Art Australia.

Or how about this fantastic "MANCAVE" sign pictured here with the beautiful Janette & handsome Dale of Rockabilly Drive By fame with the fabulous Conway from Garage Art Australia holding the gas station for the pedal car.

Or perhaps you'd like to win an Auspit spit roaster. Generously donated by our friends at Auspit.

Our friends at Bay City Events have generously donated a Blues Train Experience Pack. Enjoy a night on the legendary Blues Train with a double pass PLUS a merchandise gift card for a souvenir ice bucket, stubby holder, Train Trax CD and a cap.

Keep an eye on 3MDR.com and stay tuned to 97.1fm for the announcement of more prizes.

Coming up on Harmonica Riff Raff Old Shep is having a chin wag live on the blower with Continental Robert Susz (ex Dynamic Hepnotics & Mighty Reapers). Will chew the fat over all things blues burger (harmonica) related and about his new release Hepnobest on Aztec records. Tune in drive time Wednesday's 5 to 7pm.

The Transgender story is not a new one. But new chapters are being added every day. One such story belongs to Cal Hales who Michelle will be speaking to this Sat the 17th September from 1-2pm on the Community Outlook.

Later, joining Michelle and Cal will be Sally Goldner, Executive Director of Transgender Victoria and winner of the GLBTI Person of the Year 2015. www.transgendervictoria.com

Tune in to understand, appreciate and support our friends in the Transgender community.If you have any questions you wish pose to the interviewees, please email office@3mdr.com. – att: Community Outlook.

3MDR held its 2016 Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 7th September at the Selby Community House.

It was a very civilised affair with a turn out of 40+ financial members.

After the delivery of reports from the Station Manager, President (acting as Treasurer), Programming Manager and Vice President, it was time for the current Committee of Management team to step aside and announce the nominations for the new Committee Of Management.

Outgoing President, Robert Gearon, and outgoing Vice President, Dale Blair, were thanked for their many years of service on the leadership team and presented with gifts as a token of appreciation. Outgoing Treasurer, Michael Day, and outgoing Secretary, Fiona Perrin, were also thanked in their absence for the countless hours of volunteering time they have contributed to 3MDR during their time on the Committee Of Management Executive.

3MDR is delighted to introduce to you the new Committee Of Management. We have a fully committee of ten members, with some existing faces stepping up to leadership positions and some fresh faces joining the team to oversee the stations operation's for the next 12 months.

If you see 3MDR's CofM members out and about be sure to introduce yourself.

President - Hi my name is Pierre Rispoli, l have been actively involved with 3MDR for the last 3 years, having undertaken the role of Program Manager for the last 12 months and sound engineering for the last 3 years.

I live in the beautiful Yarra Valley, Warburton, where l have been involved in Upper Yarra Theatre Company and Catprint Theatre Company, where l have performed in several plays, acting, singing and production. I was a Live Music Co-ordinator at Wild Thyme Café, mainly booking local and national Australian bands. I was a mentor for a program known as “Young Warriors”, that helps young boys transition from primary to secondary school and assists young boys stepping into their manhood. I ran a local choir called ‘Valley of Angels’ and a Folk Club once every two months at the Yarra Valley Steiner School.

I am very privileged and fortunate to have been appointed as President on the Committee Of Management of 3MDR. There is a lot more to learn and understand about the everyday operations of a community radio station. Thankfully we have a CofM with new members and older members still working to create a better 3MDR. I hope to provide improved structure and policies, meet our ACMA broadcasting requirements and develop communication and transparency between the CofM, office team and volunteers, further develop our strategic planning, assign portfolio’s and create more for business and industry involvement and expand our subscriber membership. Thankfully, l am not alone on this and l have a great CofM ready and willing to continue all the hard work that previous CofMs have contributed.

Vice President - Paula Bye. I started at 3MDR 26 years ago, 1990. First I read the news on a Sunday programme, then I produced my own programme on Thursday evenings, Eclectic Soup, mainly playing Australian music with a focus on the live music scene and band interviews. Then I moved to the city and worked for the Melbourne metro night club running an Alternative music night called “GOO”. This was a massive venue which housed 3 levels of entertainment every Thursday night. I was responsible for 7 live DJ’s and up to 6 live original bands each week. I also produced several feature shows at this venue included 3 body art shows, costume and fashion shows, themed parties including circus, carnivals and masked balls to name a few. Whilst working for the Metro I was also working for a performing arts magazine “Stage Whispers” writing reviews for theatre productions, comedy shows as well as some feature articles about street festivals and interviews with musicians at times. In 1998 I attained my “Diploma of Arts Professional Writing and Editing”.

Over the next few years I was involved with various venues and organisations, I went to PBS radio school, had a brief involvement with 3RRR and also helped out with some silent producing at Triple J.

Since being back at 3MDR, I have completed my community media training “Pathways outside broadcasting “ and ”Strategic Planning” workshops and training.

I am still producing my live to air show “Bangers’N’Mash every Friday from 11am till 1pm, and have been on the Committee Of Management for the last few years. I want to see 3MDR bigger and better with each new year and aim to help get us there.

Treasurer - David Balsamo is a local business operator working in the field of arboriculture.David has years of experience working on volunteer and private business Committees Of Management including:

International Society of Arboriculture

Aboriculture Australia

School Boards (x2)

David has extensive grant writing experience and works with numerous local governments through his arboricultural business.

Secretary - Lizzie Smith is a research fellow at La Trobe University where she is currently researching decision-making supports for people with cognitive disability.She has over ten years experience working on various research projects and has a keen interest in organisational cultural change to increase the inclusion of people otherwise marginalised.

She has undertaken various volunteer roles over the years including providing mentoring to young LGBTI people, being a 3MDR CofM member, and providing survey and research advice.

She has lived in the Dandenong Ranges for nine years.

(extra)Ordinary Member - Rhett Thompson has 32 years experience with the CFA and has worked in the areas of Fire Management and Aviation. Rhett undertook the Main Aims Management (CFA) course and has extensive volunteer management experience.As a local business operator with national and international distribution of his Auspit products Rhett has a good business sense and good financial credentials around fundraising.With a background in mechanical and electrical engineering, one of Rhett’s highest priorities is to see 3MDR operating from suitable premises. He believes 3MDR should continue to work on enhancing its emergency broadcasting capabilities. Rhett has an understanding of legal obligations regarding contracts.

(extra)Ordinary Member - Dean Sprague is a community-focussed individual with a background in business development in the Education and Training sector. Having commenced the 'Feeling Good Australia' project (which distributed personal-care products and socks to the homeless) and more recently 'Hands Up Australia' which has a focus on support and communications for male victims of domestic violence; he is also actively involved in the City of Melbourne's "Food City" project which is addressing food system issues and using innovative start-up and community based projects to make improvements where needed. Apart from involvement in numerous community projects he enjoys blues music, plays guitar and ukulele and is to teach himself the harmonica.

Dean has been a Melbourne Chef for 30 years and is currently passing on his experience to the next generation of food service professionals.

Dean has around 5000 local and international followers on various social media platforms and is the current co-host at 3WBC's 'It's a Wonderful World'.

(extra)Ordinary Member - Neesy Smith has been presenting her own radio show called 'Now and Then' on Wednesdays between 3pm and 5pm for about 5 years. 'Now and Then' features Local artists, Ozi artists and International artists and Artists from the Newmarket Label. Neesy plays all genres and the music is from as far back as the 1930s to present day.

Neesy has many years experience in the local music scene and performs regularly with local musicians. Neesy is keen to see 3MDR continue its support for independent musicians.

Neesy has been on the 3MDR Committee of Management for 2 years and is looking forward to working with the new CofM over the next 12 months.

(extra)Ordinary Member - Charitha Dissanayake

From 2003- Started as a presenter at 3MDR (Presented Sri Lankan show every week continuously)

From 2011- Started own show (Sri Lankan Show)

2012, 2013 and 2015- Best ethnic radio program at National Ethnic Multicultural and Broadcasting Conference (NEMBC).

2014- Finalist CBAA awards (Best ethnic program)

2007- Best ethnic presenter at Serendib Awards, Melbourne.

2014- Best ethnic program at Serendib Awards, Melbourne.

2015- Joined 3MDR Committee Of Management

Presently PhD candidate at Deakin University in ethnic broadcasting.

Presented conference papers in ethnic broadcasting

Publications- "Your Radio: My Voice" (ISBN 978-3-659-66742-8) 2014

(extra)Ordinary Member - My name is Baz Morrish. I am looking forward to working with everyone at 3MDR over the next twelve months.

Before deciding that I preferred working in the Community Sector 30 years ago I worked in advertising for Leo Burnet Advertising Agency in Brisbane, then taking up a position with the fundraising arm of the Royal Children's Hospital in Queensland for a number of years then moving on to a position as Assistant to the Executive Director of the Queensland AIDS Council. While in this position I was elected to the Board of Directors as the Staff Representative before moving to Melbourne to take up a position as Personal Assistant to the Director of the Victorian AIDS Council. After leaving this position I worked for Job Support Victoria as the Administration Manager before taking up the position of Administration Manager of Lifeline Melbourne/Wesley Mission Melbourne.

After the Black Saturday Bushfires I was asked to head up the administration of the Bushfire Recovery Team, and after the disbanding of this unit I was asked to take up the position as Volunteer Coordinator for the Lifeline Telephone Counsellors.

I was also a founding member/Secretary of Envision Australia, a disability support agency based in the Frankston area of Melbourne.

Barry is legally blind and appreciates people introducing themselves by name before instigating a conversation. Over time Barry will come to recognise voices but when first meeting Barry please be sure to introduce yourself.

(extra)Ordinary Member - Denver Walles has been a 3MDR Committee Of Management member for around 8 years. Denver produces and presents a request show on Friday nights from 7 to 9:30pm which has been on air over 10 years. The show has listener participation with many requests from callers. Denver sources music from all around the world and features independent artists. Denver has visited Texas and Nashville where he met a few well known artists and some have become good friends and introducing 3MDR to a number of listeners around the world

It's nearly hump day once more and lovers of a good song and a good bloke won’t want to miss tonight’s Folk On the Fringe, when the wonderful Michael Waugh will be in the studio to play a few songs and chat about life and music since winning the Roddy Read Song Writing contest. Particularly appropriate with the Maldon Folk Festival coming up soon and a new musical adventure in train for the Gippsland native. If you‘ve ever put pen to paper or finger to touch screen in the service of song writing, you might even pick up a few tips from the multi-award winner if we can get him to let his guard down. Tune in Wednesday at 7pm for this and more, including other new music.

3MDR wants to know what you think!Please fill out this quick survey to help us better understand and meet the needs of our community. We want to find out more about what matters to you and other 3MDR supporters!!It shouldn’t take longer than 5 minutes. CLICK HERE TO FILL IN THE SURVEY The survey is being managed by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia and McNair Ingenuity Research, so you can be assured that your individual responses will remain confidential. The survey closes on 30th September 2016 and you can go into a draw to win a 3MDR prize pack!!

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